Hey! It looks like you're new here. You might want to check out the introduction.
Organised by
RogerDodger
Word limit
400–750
The Paragon
It was the first decade after her crowning as Princess, and to her ponies, Celestia was their savior, their champion, and their ruler. Equestria was younger then, a nation still wild and fraught with peril, and the Princesses often found themselves called forth to challenge those who would dare threaten their subjects. Together, they would set out, array themselves against beast or bandit, staving off disaster, taming the land, and slowly extending the blanket of prosperity outwards from their tiny capital within the Everfree.
By now, the golden armor wrapped around her body had become a comfortable second skin. Celestia dropped out of the air and to her hooves, and moments later she heard the clatter of rock as her sister touched down beside her. The protective runes etched into Luna’s black barding gave off a faint moon-glimmer, one that would grow into nocturnal radiance as the sun fell further towards the horizon.
The two sisters smiled at one another, and then as one, began to walk towards the gaping hole before them, cut into the side of a great mountain west of the great lake-town of Dartmoor. Within lay the lair of Angarakab the Vast, a great wyrm whose avarice knew no bounds. Of late, she had begun laying claim to the bounty of Dartmoor, to the fruits of its fields and the the shimmering Kelp Pearls that blossomed within the depths of the lake. The ponies had cried out for aid, and the Sisters had answered.
As they passed the threshold, a great heat washed over them, an exhalation from the dragon’s burning breast, a low growl emanating from deeper within. “Who dares?” challenged the wyrm. “Who comes to my hoard and tempts my wrath?”
“We come to give you an offer, dragon,” Celestia replied, head held high and voice filled with righteous certainty. “Leave our ponies in peace, and we shall become as friends. Our friendship can prove valuable, and we can offer much to one another.”
“FRIENDS?!” Angarakab roared, and within the darkness, something moved. Two vast glowing eyes opened, and scales glimmered as she rose her head upwards, uncurling to loom over the twin ponies before her. “I call no being friend, least of all specks whose lives are but embers before the magnificent blaze that is me.”
“Do not make this mistake, dragon,” said Luna as she stepped forward. “It shall not end well for you.” Celestia’s lips pulled backwards into a confident smile, and her horn blazed bright as she called forth her sword. They had given peace its chance, however cursory. She had never once expected it to work, and her heart quickened as she prepared herself for the thrill of battle.
Hours later, Celestia descended towards Dartmoor, her armor covered in scorch marks, her walk now favoring her left foreleg over its twin, yet her head held high with anticipation. Now came the feast, the celebration, the chance to bask in the praises of her ponies. Luna had remained behind to tally the hoard, to ensure it remained protected until Celestia could arrange for its transport. That, she knew, would take a day or two. The ponies would wish to throw a grand feast, and their Princess would be its guest of honor.
Next time, she promised herself - next time, it would be she who would guard the spoils, and Luna who would bring forth the news of their victory. But today, Celestia would shine. Today, the bars would sing of her first and foremost. Today was her day, for she was in the prime of her reign, and nothing could bring her down.
By now, the golden armor wrapped around her body had become a comfortable second skin. Celestia dropped out of the air and to her hooves, and moments later she heard the clatter of rock as her sister touched down beside her. The protective runes etched into Luna’s black barding gave off a faint moon-glimmer, one that would grow into nocturnal radiance as the sun fell further towards the horizon.
The two sisters smiled at one another, and then as one, began to walk towards the gaping hole before them, cut into the side of a great mountain west of the great lake-town of Dartmoor. Within lay the lair of Angarakab the Vast, a great wyrm whose avarice knew no bounds. Of late, she had begun laying claim to the bounty of Dartmoor, to the fruits of its fields and the the shimmering Kelp Pearls that blossomed within the depths of the lake. The ponies had cried out for aid, and the Sisters had answered.
As they passed the threshold, a great heat washed over them, an exhalation from the dragon’s burning breast, a low growl emanating from deeper within. “Who dares?” challenged the wyrm. “Who comes to my hoard and tempts my wrath?”
“We come to give you an offer, dragon,” Celestia replied, head held high and voice filled with righteous certainty. “Leave our ponies in peace, and we shall become as friends. Our friendship can prove valuable, and we can offer much to one another.”
“FRIENDS?!” Angarakab roared, and within the darkness, something moved. Two vast glowing eyes opened, and scales glimmered as she rose her head upwards, uncurling to loom over the twin ponies before her. “I call no being friend, least of all specks whose lives are but embers before the magnificent blaze that is me.”
“Do not make this mistake, dragon,” said Luna as she stepped forward. “It shall not end well for you.” Celestia’s lips pulled backwards into a confident smile, and her horn blazed bright as she called forth her sword. They had given peace its chance, however cursory. She had never once expected it to work, and her heart quickened as she prepared herself for the thrill of battle.
Hours later, Celestia descended towards Dartmoor, her armor covered in scorch marks, her walk now favoring her left foreleg over its twin, yet her head held high with anticipation. Now came the feast, the celebration, the chance to bask in the praises of her ponies. Luna had remained behind to tally the hoard, to ensure it remained protected until Celestia could arrange for its transport. That, she knew, would take a day or two. The ponies would wish to throw a grand feast, and their Princess would be its guest of honor.
Next time, she promised herself - next time, it would be she who would guard the spoils, and Luna who would bring forth the news of their victory. But today, Celestia would shine. Today, the bars would sing of her first and foremost. Today was her day, for she was in the prime of her reign, and nothing could bring her down.